Outlining Your Novel

"Map Your Way to Success" 

Bookworm's Ranking - 5 Worms
 

About - Ever wished you had a way to organize all your notes for your next novel? Have an idea for a novel but have no idea how to plan it? Think that outlining is just that boring system you learned in school? No worries. K. M. Weiland discusses these and much more. She has you forget that old way to outline and introduces ways that are just as creative as writing itself but also give a guide to follow on your next writing excursion. Weiland introduces basic ideas for plotting your story as well as a look at her system as well as advice from other writers in the business. Discussing ways to go deeper into your character and story world as well as ways to discover new ideas for your novel, Weiland writes simply and understandingly and practically for experienced and new writers. Go a head and take a look at this new tool for creating your next story.

Author - K. M. Weiland

Publisher - Pen for a Sword Publishing

Age Group - 15 and up

Personal Opinion - I have watched K. M. Weiland's youtube videos on writing before and found them insightful. So when I saw this book, I had to get it and this book gave me some great ideas on future outlining. I tried not outlining (big mistake) before so it didn't need to convince me that it is important and helpful to outline. I have also tried using outline systems taught in school (works pretty well). But this books suggested technique sounds a lot funner and challenges you to not just know what event will happen next but plan characters, setting, and consider multiple events before writing out what will happen. K.M. Weiland's examples to demonstrate what was being discussed were excellent and really gave a concrete situation to think about to grasp the concept. Her writing style is also engaging and kept my interest. I will be reading more of her books in the future. This is something I will be referring back to and using in the future. I might change a thing or two in my process but that is encouraged and will help me the best.

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On Tour: The Backup Singer

"What is the Color of Friendship?"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Shanice's cousin, Tawny, and her brother have moved in for the summer and it is the last thing Shanice wants. Tawny makes a point of teaser her for acting "white" when she is "black" yet that is not how Shanice sees herself. But Shanice hopes to wade through the summer with minimal contact with Tawny by working with her band mates. Yet Tawny's teasing gets worse and starts to affect Shanice, making her doubt her friends. Will Shanice loose her friends? Is there something more to Tawny's teases and accusations? Is skin color really the problem?

 

Author - Barb Huff

Publisher. - Barbour

Age Group - 14 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Shanice is often angry and frustrate with her family for not listening to her and her cousin being spoiled. Tawny is often bringing down Shanice for "acting white" and looks down on white people. Issues of trust and race come into the book and the characters learn how to see the truth.

 

Personal Opinion -  This book was interesting in that respect and also because the was so much more to the situation than just skin difference. It takes a while but it seems there is more growing on with Shanice's cousin and her discouragement than just racial differences. I liked how there was more going on with her than just being a jerky girl, that there was a reason and a growth experience for the cousin. I could also understand the distance and the feeling of not being part of the group that Shanice feels at one point. One thing that did make it difficult to completely engage with the book was that Shanice started bitter and angry, not that I never read a book like that but it might have been too much with very little positive stuff for a while. Still trying to find the last book in this series and I'm looking forward to it.

 

Buy - Amazon

Other Book Reviews for this Author - On Tour: Books 3-4 - Review
 
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Limitless

"Devotions for a Ridiculously Good Life" 

Bookworm's Ranking - 5 Worms

About - Nick was born without arms or legs, was bullied while growing up, yet knows the love of God and that he was made with a purpose. He had felt the highest hope and deepest despair and travels around the world sharing his story and encouraging others to not give up and to find a purpose in their life. Now, Nick shares this same massage in 50 daily devotions to encourage readers to over come their obstacles, find hope and love in God, and to find their purpose in life.

Author - Nick Vujicic

Publisher - WaterBrook Press

Age Group - 15 and up

Personal Opinion - This book was so wonderful. I loved Nick's story and message before from watching his youtube videos. And this book incorporated everything he talks about and I found it so encouraging. Using his own experiences and journey and other's stories, he gives advice for overcoming your difficulties, for finding your purpose and living your dreams, and to remember that God loves you. Nick truly found his calling in what he does because he delivers those messages perfectly and it speaks to the heart. I wish there had been a spot to write my own thoughts but perhaps that is normal for devotionals. Will be reading this again and giving it as a gift. Perfect for encouragement and inspiration.

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Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

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